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Old 01-05-2009, 03:47 PM   #5 (permalink)
AMERICA 123
7.0 Liter LS7 V8
 
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Drives: The bailout pkg
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Re: Japan Auto Sales Dec 2008: Non Minis -22.3% LEXUS - 43%

Quote:
Originally Posted by zete View Post
I wonder sometimes if the aging Boomers will have another negative on sales mostly due to the fact as folks age they drive less. I've watched as my parents annual mileage dropped from 15,000 kms to about 5,000. At that pace they've said they may not need to ever replace their car, unless it rusts away. If Boomers follow their parent's driving habits as they age this is not going to be good for the car industry.
So true.

All the oldsters around here are doing about 2500 (us miles) per 9 -18 months.

Commentary elsewhere suggests that in Japan part of whats going on is the 'vehicle' or really the concept of vehicle ownership is now a liability ie 'undesirable' due to relative costs, complexities of ownership, and lack of joy to drive and for many, to park.

They didn't build enough automotive infrastructure and 'joyful' automotive ownership thru less population centralization.

All this could be a good thing - as long as you're not in the automotive sector.
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In regards to the VOLT

With a typical annual driving pattern < totaling 11,390 miles - including three 450 mile trips and a bunch of 40 mile plus per days > and assuming you only charge <once > per overnight:
Vehicle ……………… Gallons per year
Volt ………………….. 37
Prius ………………… 228
30 MPG car ………… 380
20 MPG car ………… 570


Dave G.
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